The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has commenced an investigation into a suspect, Haruna Yusuf, following the interception of undeclared foreign currencies worth millions of naira at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA).
The currencies — $73,000, £15,957 and 827,800 Saudi Riyals — were intercepted by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) during routine screening of arriving passengers between August 8 and August 12, 2026.
The suspect and the recovered currencies were formally handed over to the EFCC by the Acting Customs Area Comptroller of the Kano/Jigawa Command, Deputy Comptroller U.U. Adamu, at the Customs Area Command in Kano.
Receiving the suspect and exhibits on behalf of the EFCC Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, was the Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC, Kano Directorate, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE1 Friday S. Ebelo.
According to Adamu, the Customs made two separate interceptions during the period.
On August 8, 2026, at about 2:20 p.m., Customs officers conducting passenger screening at the baggage area of MAKIA intercepted an unaccompanied Saudi Air luggage containing 827,800 Saudi Riyals and $53,300.
The currencies, he said, were concealed inside footwear.
In a separate interception on August 12, at about 1:50 p.m., Customs officers flagged luggage belonging to Yusuf, who had arrived at MAKIA aboard Ethiopian Airlines flight ET941.
During secondary screening using Non-Intrusive Inspection Technology, officers discovered $20,000 and £15,957 concealed inside sportswear shoes.
The two interceptions brought the total recovered foreign currencies to $73,000, £15,957, and 827,800 Saudi Riyals.
Adamu said the handover of Yusuf and the exhibits to the EFCC was carried out pursuant to Section 4(f) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, which empowers the Service to collaborate with other border regulatory agencies.
He said the interceptions demonstrated the vigilance of Customs officers in detecting attempts to move undeclared foreign currencies across Nigeria’s borders.
“These interceptions demonstrate the readiness and vigilance of our officers in detecting cross-border movement of undeclared foreign currencies above the allowed threshold,” Adamu said.
He added that the Customs Command would continue to deploy technology, professional expertise, and intelligence-driven measures, including inter-agency collaboration, to strengthen border controls and protect the integrity of Nigeria’s financial system.
Receiving the suspect and recovered funds, Ebelo commended the Customs Service for its professionalism and cooperation with EFCC officers recently deployed to the airport.
He called for sustained vigilance at all entry points to curb the illegal movement of currency.
“We must sustain this vigilance at all our entry points to counter the illegal movement of currency. The failure to declare large sums of currency and its equivalent is a violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022,” Ebelo said.
He urged travellers and members of the public to comply with Nigeria’s currency declaration requirements, stressing that declaring foreign currency does not in itself attract a penalty.
According to him, the source and circumstances surrounding undeclared funds may, however, raise legal concerns.
“Once more, we call on the general public: as much as we are Nigerians and we encourage trade in and out of the country, people must adhere to the laws of the land. You must declare the currency you are carrying. If you declare it, nobody will seize your currency,” he said.
Ebelo assured that the EFCC would conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the intercepted currencies and take appropriate legal action based on its findings.
The EFCC and NCS also reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining their collaboration in tackling financial crimes, illicit movement of cash and other forms of cross-border financial violations.
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